Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

The best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Large cities have large populations compared with urban areas, which creates the problem of providing enough housing for everyone. The best way to overcome this problem is to construct tall apartment buildings to provide accommodation in large cities, and I strongly agree with this view.

Tall apartment buildings can accommodate more people than individual houses such as bungalows. This can be considered a positive development because if more people live in individual houses, each family would require its own area of land. This could lead to increased deforestation and pollution. Mumbai, India, is a good example of this, as it is a major metropolitan city with many tall apartment buildings. These buildings make it easier for people from different parts of India to settle in the city without requiring large amounts of land for individual houses.

Another reason why tall apartment buildings are beneficial is that they can provide accommodation for a large number of people while occupying relatively little land. For example, a large family living in a bungalow may require a considerable amount of land, whereas the same family could live in an apartment building without using as much space. In addition, apartment buildings can allow several families to live in the same building while still having their own private homes. Therefore, high-rise buildings can be an effective solution to the housing shortage in densely populated cities.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that constructing tall apartment buildings is one of the best ways to provide housing in large cities. They can accommodate more people while using less land, which can help reduce urban expansion, deforestation and pollution.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have clearly addressed the prompt by taking a firm position and supporting it with relevant arguments. The ideas regarding land efficiency and urban sprawl are well-developed and logical. You provided a specific example (Mumbai) to illustrate your point, which adds depth to your argument. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explore the potential counter-arguments or disadvantages of tall buildings, such as social isolation or infrastructure strain, to provide a more balanced and nuanced discussion. Overall, your position is consistent and the task requirements are fully met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Therefore', and 'For example' effectively to link your sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is clear throughout. To improve, try to vary your cohesive devices further to avoid repetitive structures and ensure that the transition between the two body paragraphs feels slightly more fluid.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay, such as 'metropolitan', 'densely populated', and 'urban expansion'. The language is precise and conveys your meaning clearly. While the vocabulary is sufficient, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to urban planning, such as 'high-density housing', 'vertical development', or 'sustainable infrastructure', to show a greater degree of flexibility and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Your grammar is generally accurate, and you use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is correct. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, to demonstrate greater control and flexibility. Your current control is solid, but increasing the complexity of your sentence variety would enhance the overall quality.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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